Technogog » Product Reviewshttp://technogog.com
.Tech.Excited.Sun, 02 Aug 2015 15:36:12 +0000en-UShourly1http://wordpress.org/?v=4.2.3Review of Kinkoo 40W 6-Port High Speed USB Chargerhttp://technogog.com/review/review-of-kinkoo-40w-6-port-high-speed-usb-charger/
http://technogog.com/review/review-of-kinkoo-40w-6-port-high-speed-usb-charger/#commentsSun, 02 Aug 2015 15:36:11 +0000http://technogog.com/?p=110373Read...]]>Today for review I’ve got the Kinkoo 40W 6-Port High Speed USB Charger with iPower Technology and like the name suggests it’s a six port USB charger or charging station. The Kinkoo charger features what they call iPower technology that automatically senses or knows what type of device you plug in and what its power requirements are and then quickly and efficiently charges it. Read on to learn more…

Quick Smart Charging ports Detects your device to deliver its fastest possible charge speed up to 2.4 amps, it can charge your devices up to 85% faster compared with regular conventional charger. It can intelligently identify your device and offer the current accordingly for that device.

More Reliable Quality Built with industry grade materials and premium circuitry. This product is CE, FCC and RoHS certified to ensure complete safety and reliability. Specifically designed for the European, USA and Japanese markets. 100-240 volt input ideal for international travel. A soft blue LED lets you know it’s plugged in.

Perfect Compatibility Compatible with Apple and Android smartphones, tablets (including the Nexus 7, Asus tablets, HP TouchPad, Dell Venue 11 Pro), iPod nano, iPod Classic and all other 5V USB-charged devices. You may use this usb charger to charge 6 Apple devices or Android devices at the same time.

The Review

The Kinkoo USB charger comes in a clear plastic box so you can see the product inside and then there’s plenty of information on the package about the charger.

When you unpack the box you’ll find the charger, power cord and user guide. The power cord is about 5ft or 1.5m long so it should be more than long enough for most uses I would think.

The charger has a widened base so it can stand up vertically on your desk and remain stable. It’s made of plastic as most things are and it’s about 4.1 x 2.2 × 0.9 inches in dimensions and it weighs about seven ounces. It’s small and light enough to easily take with you if need be. The outer housing is shiny plastic making a nice presentation, and it seems well made overall.

On the bottom you’ll find the ID label and that’s about it there.

On the back of the charger is the power connection for the included cord. Sadly there is no main power switch so if you’re not using the Kinkoo charger you’ll need to unplug it to shut it off.

On the front you’ll find the six USB ports which are labeled Smart, iPad/iPhone and Android, two of each. The ports can output up to 2.4amps for a fast charge for most devices and it knows what kind of device you plug in through the iPower technology chip inside so it can give your devices the correct amount of power and the fastest charge. On the bottom, below the USB ports is a single LED that lights up when powered on.

When you plug the Kinkoo into a wall outlet for power the LED at the bottom will light up blue letting you know it’s ready to charge your devices.

For testing I charged my stuff, my PS Vita, the Black Box Car DVR, a MeeCam mini camera, an HTC One M7 Android phone, a Joby LED Flashlight and a Ravpower external battery/flashlight.

Everything charged just fine, no issues here, I like having everything in one place. Before I got the Kinkoo charger I had things plugged into USB ports on my computer and USB wall adapters under my desk, now I’ve got everything in one spot and not spread around.

Conclusion

The Kinkoo 40W 6-Port High Speed USB Charger is aesthetically pleasing, it looks very nice and will look great sitting on your desk charging your gadgets. The six USB ports will quickly charge your devices and you’ll have everything in one area instead of scattered around in various places plugged into individual USB ports.

Something like this is very much needed as we collect more and more USB powered gadgets. My computer only has so many USB ports to charge stuff, and there are only so many wall outlets to use as well, having six USB ports for charging in one place is very convenient.

The Kinkoo charger has auto sensing ports thanks to the iPower technology built-into it that knows what type of device your plugin and what its power needs are and automatically uses the correct voltage and amperage for that device to charge it quickly and efficiently.

The only complaint or con can I can list about the Kinkoo USB charger is the lack of a main power switch. Since there’s no switch you leave it powered on all the time or you have to unplug it from your wall outlet. Sure it doesn’t use that much power but in our homes we’ve all got things that just keep drawing power all the time and it does all add up. Not that big of an issue I guess, maybe it’s more of a personal preference, but I like to be able to turn things off when I’m not using them.

Pros:+Looks great+Well made+Auto senses device plugged in

Cons:-No main power switch

Grading

Scores Out of 10

Overall

Design / Aesthetic

Value / Price

Performance / Usage

Disclosure: This product was given to us for review by the company for review purposes only, and is not considered by us as payment for the review.

Stinky Dog! It’s a fact of life that dogs smell, they can downright stink sometimes and it might not be possible to give them a bath at that moment when they get into something so there’s the product I have today for review which can help with that. Today for review I’ve got the Paw Choice Mango and Pomegranate Scent Dry Dog Shampoo and it’s not exactly dry but you don’t need water like a regular bath. The shampoo comes out as a nice thick foam or mousse and you just rub it into your dog and you can leave it in without rinsing. I’ve tried it on both of my dogs and it really does work, well at least they smell a whole lot better afterwards! Read on to learn more…

NATURAL COCONUT DERIVED FORMULA. Mild, safe and good for sensitive skin. Okay to use with topical flea treatments.
USE ANYTIME, ANYWHERE. Quick, easy and prefect for between baths, active dogs, traveling, smelly dogs and pets that don’t like water or baths.
BETTER THAN WIPES AND SPRAYS. More economical and environmentally friendly than wipes and isn’t a scary spray bottle. Actually cleans and doesn’t just mask odor.
MANUFACTURED IN THE USA in a state of the art, EPA registered facility with the highest quality ingredients and standards of safety. Cruelty Free.
SATISFACTION GUARANTEED. When you order today, you’re protected by a 30 day, no questions asked satisfaction guarantee and world class customer service!

The Fastest and Easiest Way to Clean Your Dog and Remove Odor Without A Messy Bath
– Requires No Water or Rinsing
– Cleans Skin and Coat, Removes Odor
– Fresh Mango and Pomegranate Scent
– Mild, Natural Coconut Derived Formula
– For All Fur Types and Sensitive Skin

A bath isn’t always convenient or an option, but our dogs can quickly get dirty and stinky! Paw Choice waterless foam shampoo will get your furry family clean and smelling fresh without the hassle or mess of a bath.

Lots of Different Ways to Use
– Keep Active Dogs Fresh
– Extend Time Between Baths
– Great for Pets That Don’t Like Baths
– Use Anytime, Anywhere!

The Review

I did a quick video for you of this product, so you get a better idea of size and what it looks like etc, so check that out and read on:

The Paw Choice dry dog shampoo just ships in a plastic bag and that’s fine. The box had air pillows in it with the bottle for protection so all is good.

The bottle contains eight ounces or 237ml of shampoo which doesn’t seem like much but it is really as it comes out as a foam so it’s more spread out.

The back of the label just has some info and basic instructions. It’s simple to use really, just spray it on your hand or your dog and rub it in them.

The clear top just pops off to reveal the pump top, you just push down and out comes a good amount of foam.

The shampoo is a foam or as they call it a mousse, but it’s soft and fluffy and foamy. It’s very strong scented, you can smell it as soon as you spray some out. It’s supposed to be mango and pomegranate scent but honestly all I can smell is mango, but that’s fine with me.

I have two American Pit Bull Terriers and one of them has health problems, we affectionately call her our ‘broken dog’ and her name is Sam or actually Samantha. She has bladder issues and can’t control herself so we have her on medication but she needs frequent baths as the medicine isn’t 100% effective, but it is better than no medicine. We normally bath our dogs once a month as they stay indoors mostly, but Sam sometimes needs a bath more than once a month because of her bladder issues.

My other dog is Casey and she has no problems thankfully, but she’s still a dog and starts to smell between baths so I used it on her as well.

For the most part using it with my dogs was fairly simple, they were wary of the bottle at first but after a few pumps and rubbing it on them they were fine. They seemed to like it once they got accustomed to it and figured out what I was doing to them.

I have to say I was surprised by just how little of the shampoo I used for both dogs. After I was done there really wasn’t that much missing from the bottle and it seemed like I used a lot of it on them. The foam really puffs up and gives you a lot to work with so you should be able to get numerous baths from just one bottle surely.

Dogs like to lick especially when you put something that smells good on them and my dogs did lick themselves and they were fine, neither got sick or had any ill effects from this product, then again they didn’t exactly ingest a lot of it either, the point is that they’re perfectly fine. No adverse reactions to report.

The shampoo is very strong scented which I think is good thing. I bathed the dogs before my wife got home and as soon as she opened the door she could smell it even before she saw the dogs. She was like wow, and she said she very much liked the scent.

Conclusion

I like the Paw Choice Mango & Pomegranate Scent Dry Dog Shampoo as it really does help to cover odors between baths.

The only thing is that it’s not really a bath is it? Sure I could see taking it with you on an outing and your dog gets into something stinky and you could use this on them to cut down on the odor until you can give them a real bath. I don’t know, maybe it’s a personal thing but bath to me requires soap and water and actually rinsing, but this does work as far as making them smell good.

As is it’s a good product I think, I like it, my wife and kids like it as well and the dogs don’t seem to mind once they figure out what you’re doing.

Paw Choice also offers a a 30 day no questions asked warranty for refund so you can try it out and if your dog doesn’t like it you can get your money back. Not a bad deal at all.

Pros:+Strong scent that lasts days+No adverse reactions with my dogs+Little goes a long way+No questions asked money back guarantee+Fairly simple to use, depends on the dog

Cons:-None that I could find

Grading

Scores Out of 10

Overall

Design / Aesthetic

Value / Price

Performance / Usage

Disclosure: This product was given to us for review by the company for review purposes only, and is not considered by us as payment for the review.

]]>http://technogog.com/review/review-of-paw-choice-mango-pomegranate-scent-dry-dog-shampoo/feed/0Review of inStream SeptimusB 7 Port USB Charging Stationhttp://technogog.com/review/review-of-instream-septimusb-7-port-usb-charging-station/
http://technogog.com/review/review-of-instream-septimusb-7-port-usb-charging-station/#commentsSat, 01 Aug 2015 18:37:27 +0000http://technogog.com/?p=110328Read...]]>It seems most every portable device today can be charged over USB and that’s a good thing most times as it’s handy but when you’ve got a household full of USB devices you can quickly run out of spaces to charge them. I’ve got three kids and they’ve got a lot of USB stuff and they fight over wall outlets and USB chargers, the product I have for review today helps eliminate those issues as it has seven USB ports ready to charge all your stuff. Today for review I’ve got the inStream SeptimusB 7 Port USB Charging Station which features seven auto sensing USB ports that have a max of 3amps per port so they can charge most any device on the market today. Having seven ports in one small device let’s you have your gadgets charged and ready in one spot and it eliminated the need for multiple wall chargers. Read on to learn more..

Specifications and Features

SEVEN PORTS. NO COMPROMISE. Why settle for a 6 port or 5 port multi charger? Get 7 ports squeezed into an amazingly compact, high power multi usb charger. The SeptimusB measures only 4 x 1 x 3.5 inches so it can travel with you wherever you go. It’s indispensable!FAST CHARGER. WORLD CLASS. SeptimusB provides a maximum of 3A on each port, combining auto sensing intelligence with full circuit safety – and making it one of the fastest USB charging stations on the planet! (Most devices require no more than 2.1A) FCC / CE / RoHS Certified. 45 Watt. 9 Amp.COMPATIBILITY. GUARANTEED. This multi device charging station has been tested with iPad, iPhone, Samsung, HTC, Kindle, Sony, Plantronics, Nexus, various Cell Phones, Touch Screen Tablets, MP3 Players, Bluetooth Headsets and Speakers, Power Banks and many, many more. It just works!ANY DEVICE. ANY PORT. GUARANTEED. Avoid the hidden pitfalls that other multi USB charger sellers NEVER mention! Now there is no need for you to worry about which port to use. For exceptional cases, simply switch to another port.

Powerful. Fast. Safe.Barely larger than the palm of your hand: the inStream SeptimusB packs a real punch!Its intelligent charging circuitry operates in near silence, ensuring that each USB device charges quickly at its maximum rate.Once each device is fully charged, SeptimusB then reverts to a slow trickle charge of 50mA, to prevent damage to your batteries from over-charging.

Flexible. Compatible. Indispensable.Never again worry about whether to charge your phone first, or your tablet – your mp3 player, or your headset. With seven fully capable ports, you can charge them all at the same time!Save energy by using a single wall outlet to charge all your family’s devices in one place – where they won’t be lost!It even powers non-rechargeable devices like USB reading lights and fans, so your laptop’s precious ports are freed up to do what they were meant to.

The Review

Let’s start with a video unboxing and then move on from there:

The packaging for the SeptimusB 7 charger is basically a brown box with a label on it, which is fine. When you open the box you’ll see the charger wrapped in plastic and then a smaller box to the side with the accessories in it.

Once you get everything unpacked you’ll find the charger, user guide, two USB cables and the power cord.

I love the two included cables, they’re about nine inches or 22cm long and they’re flat and thick but flexible and sturdy. You get both microUSB and Apple lightning cables and they’re a nice and handy addition to the charger as they can be used without the charger as well. These little cables are great to take with you for charging your stuff even if you don’t take the SeptimusB charger with you.

The charger is white in color with the SeptimusB logo on the front and it does look nice. The charger itself seems well made and it’s about 4.1 x 1.1 x 3.9 inches in size and weighs about 7 ounces.

The back just has an ID label there and the charge can stand up vertically.

On the front you’ll find the seven USB ports and a single LED to indicate power above them. The ports are not labeled, they automatically sense what you plug into them and adjust the voltage/amps as necessary with a maximum of 3amps per port which is more than enough for most any device out there today.

On the back you’ll find the power connection for the included cord and the main power switch. I very much like the fact that it has a power switch on it as some of these multiple chargers do not have a power switch on them and you have to unplug them when not in use.

The LED lights up green to let you know there’s power and the USB ports are ready to charge your devices.

I was wondering if the PS Vita would charge and it did as sometimes it doesn’t like to charge with external batteries and chargers.

Everything else charged just fine, just like if I was using a USB wall adapter for them, nice and fast.

My kids have numerous USB devices and they fight over the single style USB wall chargers and the wall outlets so this helps cut that down. I gave this to them actually and they’ve been using it everyday for the past couple weeks with no issues at all. They love it really.

Conclusion

The inStream SeptimusB 7 Port USB Charging Station is a very handy device that can keep all your stuff charged and ready to go.

I like it because it helps to eliminate fights between my kids over wall outlets to charge their devices, that alone makes it well worth it in my opinion. If you don’t have kids you’ll still find the SeptimusB charger very useful as you can charge all your stuff in one place and not have to worry about wall outlets as you just need one and you can charge seven devices.

The inStream SeptimusB 7 Port USB Charging Station is very well made and it’s small and portable so you could take it with you if need be. Take it along with you on a trip and share the ports with other people and they’ll be thankful you brought it along.

The additional USB cables are great, I love them honestly, they’re well made and small making them very handy to take with you on the go and they won’t get tangled up either.

I like the power switch on this product as it allows you to keep it plugged in and then just flip the switch when you need to charge your stuff.

All in all the inStream SeptimusB 7 Port USB Charging Station is a great product that I can recommend.

Pros:+Very nice microUSB and Lightning cables included+Choose any port to charge+Well made+On/Off switch+Simple to use

Cons:-None really

Grading

Scores Out of 10

Overall

Design / Aesthetic

Value / Price

Performance / Usage

Disclosure: This product was given to us for review by the company for review purposes only, and is not considered by us as payment for the review.

With the imminent release of Windows 10 one of the best ways to speed up your PC for the transition is to install an SSD. One such option is the HyperX Savage SSD as it is designed to provide incredibly fast performance with speeds up to 560MB/s read and 530MB/s write along with read/write IOPS up to 100k/89k. With its 7 mm form factor this drive is designed to fit most desktop and notebook configurations.

In the HyperX SSD hierarchy the Savage sits just below the ludicrously fast PCIe based HyperX Predator and above the HyperX Fury. It is the replacement for the now three-year-old HyperX 3K SSD. This makes the Savage the head of the HyperX SATA III factor SSDs.

Unlike previous HyperX models this drive uses a Phison PS3110-S10 controller that replaces the previously used Sandforce controller. For its NANDs the Savage uses Toshiba A19.

Unboxing

The HyperX Savage solid-state drive is packaged in an environmentally friendly cardboard box with an image of the drive on front along with its capacity, read and write speeds. On the bottom is a list of the installation kits contents. This packaging is pretty consistent along the HyperX line.

The HyperX Savage SSD is available in 120GB, 240GB, 480GB and 960GB capacities. For today’s review we will be looking at the 240GB model. It is available in a bundle kit or for those who do not need all the additional components of the kit, the HyperX Savage does come as a standalone SSD as well.

The Savage has a 2.5” form factor that measures 100.0mm x 69.9mm x 7.0mm and weighs 96 gms.

Appearance wise the Savage has a red and dark grey motif. It prominently features a silver HyperX logo on a red metallic finish found on the top of the drive.

On the drive’s bottom is a label with the capacity listed along with a QR code. For mounting the SSD there are four screws found on the bottom as well. At the rear of the Savage SSD we find a standard SATA and power connector.

Since this is the installation bundle kit, besides the SSD HyperX also provides all the tools to install and migrate your system to the Savage. The multi-bit screwdriver can be used to mount the SSD into one’s PC or laptop, while the enclosure enables the cloning of your previous Windows system using the Acronis True Image HD software. If you are transitioning from a 2.5″ hard drive then the enclosure can be repurposed as housing for a backup drive.

An included mounting bracket allows the Savage to be installed into a 3.5” slot within a desktop PC.

HyperX Savage solid-state drive offers extreme performance for the extreme performer. The fastest HyperX SATA-based SSD, it’s powered by a quad-core, 8-channel Phison S10 controller that delivers incredible speeds up to . The result is ultra-responsive multitasking and an overall faster system that maintains performance even as the drive fills up. With its low profile and slim, 7mm form factor, HyperX Savage SSD fits in most notebooks, desktops and HTPC builds. Its unique look, with high-quality red steel and aluminum casing and diamond-cut design, helps you stand out in the crowd and complements the latest PC hardware. It’s available in a bundle kit that includes everything you need to install Savage in your existing system, including a USB 3.0 enclosure to transfer data from 2.5″ hard drives; a 2.5″–3.5″ adapter to mount in a desktop environment; SATA data cable; multi-bit screwdriver and Acronis data migration software. HyperX Savage SSD is 100-percent factory tested and backed by a three-year warranty, free technical support and legendary reliability.

The Review

If you have ever installed or swapped a hard drive in a PC or laptop then the installation of the HyperX Savage should be a simple process. Mounting the drive in a PC is probably the most complicated step as you’ll need to incorporate the mounting bracket but in terms of difficulty this still rests on the fairly simple side of the scale.

For those wishing to clone their current system then using the included Acronis software is the way to go. Otherwise you will need to initialize the Savage when first plugged into a Windows system and then format the drive. I chose using the newer GUID format over the older MBR format. The differences can be explained here. Once this is performed we see 224 GB of useable space.

Looking at these results we see the HyperX Savage matching up with its advertised speeds. In terms of real world functionality it is hard to say how much more benefit the Savage has over other performance SSDs but in synthetic benchmarks it does come out on top.

Cloning a Windows system using Acronis True Image HD was simple once the software was downloaded, registered and installed on the PC.

As a Windows boot drive the Savage is pretty much on par with the fastest SSDs with Windows load times in the 10-15 second range from PC start up. Anybody using the Savage SSD as their main OS drive will be ecstatic with the performance.

Conclusion

For those users who want to run their PCs or Macs at top SATA III speeds, the Savage is an exceptional choice. It is priced in line with similar high end SSD models. The bundle kit can be found on Amazon for $118 that is actually cheaper than the slightly slower and older HyperX 3K model. Plus the bundle kit includes a USB 3.0 enclosure providing a speedy option for repurposing the removed system 2.5” hard drive.

The HyperX Savage is designed for high-end performance with the enthusiast in mind. Its 560MB/s read and 530MB/s write speeds and read/write IOPS up to 100k/89k make it the fastest of the HyperX SSD SATA models. Really the only way to get faster performance out of a SSD is to go the PCIe route with a HyperX Predator, which is almost double the cost.

Motion sensor LED light bars seem very popular and I like them a lot, as of now I’ve got three of them in my home and am planning on getting a few more as they’re just really useful. I’ve got two on my steps, one at the top and one at the bottom and they work to illuminate the hall and steps in the dark. Since I’ve installed them we’ve all come to depend on them for that extra light and most times now I don’t turn on the main light at all. Today for review I’ve got the Liron Slend LED Motion Sensor Light Bar which features six LEDs and the ability to charge over USB. it’s a great light and I’m happy to have it installed in my home, read on to learn more…

Specifications and Features

Liron Anywhere lighting series is designed to illuminate any dark area in your home. Liron slend is the perfect lighting solution for closet, under or inside the cabinet, drawer, bookshelves and display room with any dark spot without wiring or complicated installation. What you need to do is put in the battery and stick to wherever you want. Liron slend is activated by PIR Motion Sensor within 10 feet detection range. It automatically turns on when it detect any human has moved in of the sensors range and shut down after 30 seconds when nobody is there. Also, LED Technology developed well and you never need replacing it. The light are so efficient that you will get more than thousands of hours from each light on one set of batteries.

The Review

The box is just plain white with a label on it and inside you’ll find a bag of accessories, instructions and the light itself wrapped in plastic for protection.

In the accessory bag you’ll find a piece of double sided tape along with two different sized screws along with two plugs.

The Liron Slend light is about 8 x 1.8 x 0.6 inches in dimensions and it’s made of plastic and weighs slightly over three ounces. On the side edge of the light is a miniUSB port that can be used for charging the light. You’ll need to buy six rechargeable AAA batteries and you’ll need a USB cable as the batteries nor the cable come with the light, but it’s nice to have the option anyway.

In the center of the light you’ll find a light sensor, motion sensor and a charging indicator LED.

There are six LEDs in total, three on each side of the sensor.

On the back or bottom of the light you’ll find the mounting bracket that locks and unlocks by sliding it to the side. The idea is to, permanently with screws or semi-permanently with double sided tape, mount the bracket where you want the light installed and then attach the light to it. When you need to change the batteries or recharge them you just slide the light off of the bracket and it stays mounted and then you can easily put it back.

There are two battery covers on either side of the light, each holds three batteries.

The Liron light uses six AAA batteries but you don’t have to as it will run on just three. Using all six though will give you more time between having to change the batteries.

The LEDS aren’t super blinding bright but they’re more than bright enough to light the way until you reach a light switch and bright enough to see things on the floor so you don’t trip on them.

I installed the Liron Slend motion sensor light in my bathroom. The light switch is located towards the middle of my bathroom so you have to take a few steps in before you get to it and in the middle of the night, in the dark, it can be hard to find. Now that I have the motion sensor light there I can see things on the floor before I get to the switch which is helpful. My cats, for whatever reason, like to lie on the bathroom floor sometimes and in the middle of the night it’s not fun for me or the cat when I step on him because it’s too dark to see him there before I reach the light switch.

The motion sensor seems to work just fine, the light turns on just as I enter the bathroom which is perfect timing. I’ve had no issues with it since I installed it, it works every time and even in low light, not just the dark.

I did not test the USB charging functionality as I don’t have any rechargeable AAA batteries to test it out with, but I’m hoping to get some in the future as it seems like a good feature to have, and it’s a nice option to save some money on batteries.

As far as mounting I used the double sided tape and it fell off once and survived just fine. I reattached it making sure to really push to get it to stick and it has stayed ever since. I think I may not have pushed hard enough on the tape and mount to get it really stuck to the ceiling tile, but now it seems fine.

Conclusion

The Liron Slend LED light is a great product that everyone in my home has come to depend on, it’s amazing what a little extra light can do really.

The Liron light isn’t super bright but it’s more than enough light to let you see things clearly so you can find what you need or so you don’t step on anything or trip.

The optional USB charging is a nice addition but it would have been nicer if they included a USB cable and the rechargeable batteries as then that’s an extra expense. Sure most of us will have the USB cable floating around but not many people have six AAA rechargeable batteries handy so you’ll need to buy them separately.

All in all I like the Liron Slend LED light, it’s well made and it provides enough light to see what needs to be seen.

Pros:+Works great+Seems well made+Can work on just three batteries+Can be charged over USB

Cons:-Does not include USB cable or rechargeable batteries

Grading

Scores Out of 10

Overall

Design / Aesthetic

Value / Price

Performance / Usage

Disclosure: This product was given to us for review by the company for review purposes only, and is not considered by us as payment for the review.

Up for review today I’ve got a pair of Bluetooth sports headphones from a company called SoundWhiz. The headphones are called the WhizBeats and they feature Bluetooth 4.1 along with NFC for easy pairing and extra long distance. The headphones have a battery life of up to eight hours of talk or music time and up to 180 hours of standby time. The headphones are water and sweat resistant and are made for your active lifestyle. Read on to learn more…

The Review

The WhizBeats come in a nice looking box with a picture of them on the front and information on the back about them.

Once you get everything unpacked you’ll find a cloth carrying bag, the headphones, user guides, microUSB cable and extra bud covers and stabilizers.

The headphones themselves are made of plastic and are very lightweight coming in at under 1/2 an ounce. They have a rated talk time of eight hours and a standby time of up to 180 hours. They are marked R and L on the fronts so you know which is which.

The headphones come already installed with medium size bud covers and stabilizers, but you can swap them out for either the small of large that are in the package.

On the back side of the right headphone is the microUSB charging port and it’s behind a rubber door to keep the elements and sweat out.

On the bottom you’ll find the multi-function button that does various things like answer/end calls and play or pause your music.

On the top edge is a large thin button that is the volume controls and skip track control. The power button is very small and it’s actually located under the earbuds on the flat inner surface of the headphone.

Next to the power button is a tiny LED that lights up red for charging then turns green when charged. The LED also lights up green or blinks red and green for pairing mode.

I tested the WhizBeats with my HTC One M7 Android phone and with my PS Vita.

Usage:

As far as connecting over Bluetooth, I had no issues connecting to either the HTC One or my PS Vita. I did have a problem with the NFC function though as it didn’t seem to work. The HTC One has NFC built-in and I tried over and over again to get it to work with the WhizBeats but the phone couldn’t see the headphones. Not sure what’s going on there at all.

The controls worked fine with the phone for music and calls but they felt a bit weird and the buttons are very small and it takes a while to really get accustomed to finding and using them.

To adjust the volume you just press on either side, up or down. To skip tracks you have to long press the volume buttons and it takes a second or two for it to actually work or register. To reject a call you need to press the volume down button for about 2-3 seconds.

To play and pause music you have to long press the multi-function button. A short press of the button is for answering and ending calls. You can also redial the last number by double pressing the multi-function button.

I should also note these headphones talk to you. It will say things like ‘your headset is connected’ or ‘your headset is disconnected’ and when you get a call it will say ‘call from’ and then tell you what the number is if it’s not blocked of course.

Sound Quality:

I’ll be honest the sound quality is not that good overall. There isn’t much bass in these and what bass there is isn’t deep, it’s more flat like a dull thud almost. There also isn’t much treble either, the highs are virtually non-existent. All in all the sound is hollow, for lack of a better word. The sound, it’s like you’re farther away or in a long hallway maybe, it’s hard to describe, almost muffled maybe but not.

I’m not very happy with the sound quality at all, but they’re not every expensive either so I guess that’s to be expected.

Comfort:

I can say these headphones are very comfortable for long term usage. The stabilizers are a soft silicone and they hold the headphones in your ears very well. They are lightweight and after a while you don’t even notice them in your ears.

Conclusion

I have to say I’m not exactly thrilled with the sound quality of the SoundWHiz WhizBeats headphones it’s rather hollow but then I am accustomed to using headphones that cost about ten times as much as these do.

For the price these aren’t bad as long as you don’t expect high end sound quality from them.

They do work, they’re easy to pair via Bluetooth but I did have a small issue with the NFC function as it didn’t seem to work with my phone.

I’ve got a really quick review for you in the home and bath category and that would be shower curtain rings. You might wonder what’s so special about shower curtain rings? Well if you’ve ever tried to find a good set then you’ll know what I mean, they’re hard to come by. I’ve tried many, many brands and styles of shower curtain rings and they just never last. Today for review I’ve got a set of Amazer that are stainless steel and have acrylic rollers on them making your curtain opens easier. Read on to learn more…

Specifications and Features

RUSTPROOF STAINLESS STEEL – The 100% pure stainless steel construction allows years of use in the harsh bathroom elements. The non-magnetic metal is corrosion-free, meaning it will last indoors and outdoors without rusting.COLORFUL ACRYLIC BALLS – The hooks feature acrylic rolling balls with playful pastel color. The colorful balls add brightness to any style of bathroom and complement any type of bathroom curtain. Acrylic plastic plating ensures that the color will not fade with time.FREE GLIDING ACTION – No snagging; no effort; no hassle. These hooks feature specially engineered spherical balls to reduce friction and allow effortless gliding across the rod with virtually no effort at all.HEAVY DUTY CLOSING HOOKS – The hooks are strong enough to hold both a heavy curtain and a liner. They are sealed shut, making it impossible for the curtain to slip off the rings.SET OF 12, LIFETIME WARRANTY – Sold as a set of 12 for a standard 60″ or 72″ opening. They are backed by a lifetime warranty when purchased from Amazer.

Sturdy and Secure Structure Allows Effortless Movement With all our products manufactured to the highest quality standards, we are confident that you will enjoy Amaze shower curtain hooks for many years to come. The design features effortless shower curtain rings engineered to glide effortlessly across the rod with virtually no effort at all. The hooks are closed, unlike the more popular C-shaped hooks. This means you can pull the curtain as fast as you like with no worries or accidents.

Easy, Simple Installation To install the shower curtain rings, simply open the curtain hook clasp and loop them in the openings of your shower curtain and/or liner. Then, snap the clasps and slide the rings onto the shower rod. Then, follow your shower rod’s instructions to fasten the rod in your shower. To install the hooks to a fixed curtain rod, simply open the curtain ring clasp and stretch the ring around the curtain rod. The heavy duty materials used in manufacturing the hooks allow the hooks to stretch about 1″ without snapping. When you are done stretching the rings, they will return to their original shape.

The Review

The packaging for the Amazer shower curtain rings is just a clear vinyl bag essentially with a bit of info on the front and a label on the back.

You’ll get a set of twelve rings in the package and they do seem very well made. The rings are stainless steel so they won’t rust and they should last for many years to come.

On the top of each of the rings you’ll find five acrylic balls or rollers that allow the rings to just roll across the shower curtain rod making it easier to open and close your curtain. You can get them in various colors and I got black as that’s why I prefer.

The hook part of these is heavy duty and they basically lock in place when you close them. One of my biggest complaints about other shower curtain hooks is that they don’t stay closed, these should hopefully.

So I installed them on my shower curtain and have been using them for about a week, actually all of us in the house have been using them. The rollers do really make it easier to open and close the curtain, it just glides or rolls across the shower curtain rod.

Conclusion

The Amazer Shower Curtain Rings are exactly what I’ve been looking for. I’ve been trying to find a decent set of rings for a long time, ones that stay closed, won’t rust, easy to use and just make life easier and these do all of that.

The acrylic balls on the rings make opening and closing the shower curtain very easy, they just glide across the rod quickly and easily.

There’s not much more to say about these honestly, they’re awesome, they’re excellent really. If you need a good set of shower curtain rings then look no further than these from Amazer and you won’t be disappointed.

One of my earliest reviews was for GelaSkins where I looked at their skins for the MacBook Pro and iPhones. I have used Gelaskins for years primarily on my Apple laptops and they have done a fantastic job of keeping the top of MacBooks protected. In addition their unique design is always a good conversation starter.

Like most successful companies, Gelaskin has grown and evolved over the years. Since that earlier review Gelaskins have rebranded themselves as Nuvango which functions as a community and marketplace for artists to create and sell their art. Besides offering skins for phones, tablets or computers Nuvango have also expanded into the realm of art prints, clothing and other media formats.

Specifications and Features

Nuvango Skins are low-profile, laminated vinyl decals designed to protect and personalize portable electronic devices. Made from a patented 3M material, these Skins provide protection against scratches and everyday wear-and-tear. The adhesive is re-positionable, and will not leave any residue upon removal. Air channels in the material aid in applying skins to any device by allowing air bubbles to smooth out easily.

The Review

For today’s review we will look at the MacBook Pro Retina 13” Gelaskin – ‘Theologue’ by Alex Grey. For those familiar with the band Tool you may recognize his work from their album covers and concerts. Alex Grey is a contemporary artist whose work combines elements of psychedelia and spirituality. His style is very distinct and powerful, so when I discovered his work was available on Nuvango, I knew that is what I would want protecting my MacBook Pro.

The skin arrives in a cardboard mailer to protect it during shipping. Sealed in a plastic clear envelope the design of the skin is readily seen.

Gelaskins are a laminated vinyl decal printed of 3M Controltac material which is designed for easy application and removal. Specialized air channels in the material allow any air bubbles to be smoothed out without any hassle.

On the top left of the skin is the Nuvango logo and at the top right is the skin’s title and artist along with the device the designed to be used with the Gelaskin.

Printed on the back of the contact sheet is the 3M Controltac logo. The backing page behind the contact sheet provides instructions for applying the Gelaskin.

Before applying the skin make sure the contact surface is both clean of debris and dry. Start by removing the back from the 3M vinyl skin.

Since the skin is precisely cut to the device it is to rest upon the most important part is to align the corners of the skin. Once the skin is in place carefully smooth out the bubbles. That’s pretty much it. The beauty of the Nuvango Gelaskins is that if you do mess up, it is simple enough to lift off the skin and the reapply it.

Here is the Nuvango Gelaskin applied on the MacBook Pro Retina 13”. The pictures really don’t do it justice. In person the imagery of the print really stands out. The Gelaskin allows the user to express themselves without making any permanent changes to their device. Plus it will protect the device from scratches and marks until it is removed. Once taken off there is no residue to be found on the device.

Conclusion

Nuvango’s Gelaskins are the best skins on the market in terms of design and function. Their print quality is top notch and they are easy to apply and remove plus they leave not residual residue when permanently removed.

If you are looking at a way to personalize your device whether a smart phone, tablet, or computer then the Nuvago Gelaskins are the way to go.

]]>http://technogog.com/review/review-of-nuvango-skin-for-apple-macbook-pro-retina-13/feed/2Review of Petseer UV Light PRO Blacklight Flashlighthttp://technogog.com/review/review-of-petseer-uv-light-pro-blacklight-flashlight/
http://technogog.com/review/review-of-petseer-uv-light-pro-blacklight-flashlight/#commentsSun, 26 Jul 2015 17:08:00 +0000http://technogog.com/?p=110134Read...]]>So today I’ve got another pet accessory for review but you can use it for other things. I’ve never owned a UV blacklight but I’ve always wanted one as they can come in handy. Petseer has sent over their UV Light Pro Blacklight Flashlight and what they’re selling it for is to detect pet accidents. The light is solidly made of aluminum and has twelve LEDs in it and uses three AA batteries for power. I’ve got two dogs and one is what we call ‘broken’ as she has had problems since she was a puppy and she does have occasional accidents so I used the Petseer light to check around the house. Read on to learn more…

Locating a hidden pet urine stain can be a frustrating and tedious job, especially when the visible evidence is gone and only an odor is left behind. The Pet Urine Stain Detector Flashlight uses specially designed UV Blacklight Bulbs to reveal dried and hidden pet stains which are normally hidden from the naked eye, making this job easier than ever. The portable, pocket-sized flashlight allows for searching from a standing position, so you can more comfortably locate stains. It works on stains from dogs, cats, hamsters, rabbits, and more. Not only does the flashlight save you time, but with more efficient stain location and spot cleaning, it saves you from spending hundreds of dollars on enzyme procedures and other expensive floor treatments. The flashlight is battery powered with 3 AAA Batteries (included) and works on all surfaces such as furniture, floors, rugs, beds, and much more.

The Review

The packaging is clear plastic over cardboard with lots of information on it for you to read about the light. Through the package you can see the light itself and the included batteries.

The light is about 3.6 x 1.2 x 5.6 inches in dimension and it’s made of aluminum making it durable and well made. The light comes with a wrist strap so you don’t lose the light.

The front is where the LEDs are, there are twelve UV LEDs to light things up. The front actually comes off as well and inside you’ll find a rubber O ring to keep the elements out.

On the back of the light is the power switch, just a push button with a nice loud click when pressed.

The tail end screws off so you can insert the batteries in and there’s a rubber ring to keep the elements out.

Inside of the light is the battery holder that holds the three included AAA batteries.

Once the batteries are in, just push the button and you’ll get light. It doesn’t look that bright but it is, don’t shine it in your eyes or anyone else’s.

I checked around the house and found a few spots as I expected. When you use the light on floors or other surfaces it will reveal dried or hidden stains that you normally can’t see.

Conclusion

The Petseer UV Light PRO Blacklight Flashlight can be very handy in finding accidents around your home and it does really work.

The light can not only be used for pets but for other things as well. I’ve got three kids and they’re not the cleanest. I used the light in the bathroom and all I have to say is that it needs cleaned again or better than it was.

One of my dogs has bladder issues and she’s actually on prescription medication for it so she does have accidents and it’s nice to be able to see where things are and where they happened at.

All in all the Petseer light is a decent product, it’s a very well made flashlight and it does work.

Pros:+Well made+Inexpensive+Bright+Works well overall

Cons:-None that I could find

Grading

Scores Out of 10

Overall

Design / Aesthetic

Value / Price

Performance / Usage

Disclosure: This product was given to us for review by the company for review purposes only, and is not considered by us as payment for the review.

I’ve got a quick review for you of a very useful product for your pets, it’s a Pet Feeding mat from a company called Snug. The mat is made from food grade silicone and it’s non-toxic so it’s safe for you pets, but it keeps food and liquids off of your floor. I’ve got two messy dogs and I love this mat, it works and it stays put and keeps the bowels in place. It’s a great product, read on to learn more…

Specifications and Features

-Raised lip to catch food and water spills to keep your floor clean
-Food safe premium grade silicone that is non toxic and non allergenic
-The silicone material, raised bump design and lip edge act together to stop feeding bowls being pushed around the room
-Dishwasher safe, flexible and waterproof so it can be rinsed under the tap
-Snug offer lifetime support through the dedicated brand website and provide a no quibble 10 year warranty

The Review

The mat comes packaged in just a plastic bag which is fine as it’s just silicone and not exactly fragile. There’s a label on the front with a some basic info and that’s about it.

The mat is made of silicone and it’s 19″ x 12″ in size. The silicone is food grade and non toxic so your pets can eat right off of it.

All around the border is about an 1/8” lip that keeps the food or water from going all over your floor.

The mat has raised bumps all over the top of it to keep the feed bowels from moving around.

The bottom of the mat looks smooth but it’s silicone so it will stick to the floor and stay wherever you put it.

I have two American Pit Bull Terriers and they’re very messy especially when it comes to drinking water and I have wood floors so getting water on them isn’t the best thing for them at all. I used the Snug Feeding mat with their water bowels and it does work well, it keeps the water off the floor and the lip of the mat keeps the water on the mat and off the floor.

Conclusion

The Snug pet Feeding mat is very well made and it works great and best of all it does what it’s supposed to do.

The mat comes with a ten year warranty so if there’s ever a problem they’ll take care of you.

The silicone material of the mat makes it very easy to clean, just wipe it off really and you’re done.

I really like this product, it’s perfect for me and my pets. I think I need to get a one or two more actually.

If you have messy pets then get the Snug Pet Feeding Mat and you’ll be happy and you’re pets might even be happier too!

Pros:+Well made+Keeps food and water off floor-Non-slip

Cons:-None that I could find

Grading

Scores Out of 10

Overall

Design / Aesthetic

Value / Price

Performance / Usage

Disclosure: This product was given to us for review by the company for review purposes only, and is not considered by us as payment for the review.